The Choice

Every morning that I go to work I face a couple of options on how best to get there.

Option A:

Commute Option A

or, Option B:

Commute Option B

Any guesses as to which one I end up picking?

I’m not super confident my eagerness to go with Option B will be maintained through the next couple of months. It is 45-50 minutes on the bike, each way (about 9.5 miles), potentially a lengthy time to be exposed to the elements. However, rumor has it that El Niño is brewing, which often means a milder winter for us. So, despite the impending winter season, I may still be opting for Option B.

In the meantime, I will continue to enjoy a saner (not to mention healthier) way to get to work, and hope that by being outside more, my ability to withstand the cooler temperatures will grow (something my still-Ecuadorian blood often objects to).

Gone With the Wind

I’ve taken a crash course (thanks in part to this guy) in bike maintenance these last 24 hours. The reason being I found something on Craigslist (always the danger) I could not pass up:

Zebrakenko Wind

This lovely two wheeler has been sitting relatively unused for the past thirty-plus years. It’s a Japanese-made bike (a Zebrakenko “Wind,” to be precise) with many, if not all, original parts.

Zebrakenko Wind

I like the simplicity of design, with a couple of embellishments like this head badge:

Zebrakenko Wind - Head Badge

Since it’s been sitting around so long, it’s going to need a little rejuvenation. Hence the crash course in, specifically, rear derailleur adjustment. And, for things that I’m not able to do (like truing the wheels), we’re a hop skip and a jump from our local bike shop.

Zebrakenko Wind

It’s still high biking season, and with all the commuting I’ve been doing on my city bike, I’m looking forward to some road biking, unencumbered by my pannier full of clothes and lunch.

Is Your Home Protected?

For those homes still fortunate to have a tomte in residence, read no further. I’m pretty sure we’ve got one, or a family of them living somewhere quiet inside. The attic doesn’t quite seem like a good place to live, nor does the basement. The only reason I suspect they are living inside is the occasional glimpse we’ve gotten. I started walking around with my camera just so I could quickly snap a picture when I spotted one.

Tomte Hiding

Sure enough, around tea time I caught a glimpse. The next time was in the morning. I was about to water the plants and I noticed the little guy looking outside (it’s been a beastly summer, and we’ve closed the house up much of these last couple of weeks). I think he, like us, was missing hanging out outside.

Tomte Hiding

There have been other sitings, but I’m trying not to interfere too much, so I just barely got this picture and then promised to put the camera away. I took it while we were sorting through some of our books. I’m sure he was starting scope out the available titles to have on hand during the long winter nights.

Tomte Hiding

Anyway, the reason why I’m sharing all of this, is that there are many homes that do not have a tomte living nearby, looking after things. They are easily offended and will move out if not properly treated (like, did you remember to put out a bowl of porridge last Christmas night?).

I’m pleased to offer a particularly smart and willing wizard for hire. This house wizard can offer similar services as a tomte. Though not up to speed on the history of your home, he possesses some of the same qualities as a tomte – particularly constant vigilance.

Needle Felted House Wizard

He prefers a high spot in the room (perhaps the top shelf in a living room bookcase) – somewhere where he can survey the room and get a sense of what is happening in the house.

Needle Felted House Wizard

Since you pay an agent (me) for his services, he will not run out on you if you forget to get him a present, or suddenly find yourself cursing up a storm.

Needle Felted House Wizard

If you are interested, find out more here.

Garden Party Quilt

Sometimes you just need to stop what you are doing, gather up your stuff and head to the cabin – the log cabin that is. Virginia got the bug two weeks ago, and what follows shows the sequence of what happened over the course of those 14 days, as she made her way through puzzling out a log cabin quilt, piecing it together (both sides) and finishing it. The name of the quilt will be self-evident.

Garden Party Quilt

Garden Party Quilt

Garden Party Quilt

Garden Party Quilt

Garden Party Quilt

Garden Party Quilt

Garden Party Quilt

And, yes, you read that correctly – both sides are log cabins.

Garden Party Quilt

It’s the perfect way to usher in the summer.